From 1 July 2023, families using child care must pay the gap fee using electronic means. We encourage early childhood education and care stakeholders to share this information with their networks. Find prewritten text and images below to use across your channels.
On this page:
Who should use this kit
This kit is for organisations that support the early childhood education and care sector, including:
- peak bodies and industry groups
- state and territory education departments and regulatory authorities
- other Commonwealth agencies.
It contains materials to share with providers and services in your network.
When to use this kit
The changes to gap fee payments start on 1 July 2023. Please share the information in this kit in the lead up to July.
Social media content
Copy and share a post on your social media channels.
Post 1
From 1 July 2023, families using child care must pay the gap fee using electronic means.
The gap fee is the difference between the provider’s fee and the Child Care Subsidy amount. Electronic funds transfer, or EFT, is when a customer pays a bill using electronic means.
Most services already accept EFT payments. Providers must ensure their services use EFT for all gap fee payments from 1 July.
Exemptions will apply in limited circumstances. The Department of Education will provide more information soon.
Stay up to date with the changes on the Department of Education website.
Post 2
From 1 July 2023, families must pay the gap fee using electronic means, or EFT. Providers must ensure their services use EFT for all gap fee payments from 1 July. Learn more on the Department of Education website.
Website and newsletter content
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Changes to gap fee payments from July 2023
From 1 July 2023, families using child care must pay the gap fee using electronic means.
The gap fee is the difference between the provider’s fee and the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) amount. Electronic funds transfer, or EFT, is when a customer pays a bill using electronic means.
This change will help the government protect CCS against fraud and non-compliance.
Most services already accept EFT payments. This is because it’s safer for staff and easier to administer.
Similarly, over 98% of families already use EFT to pay their gap fee. Most families get salaries or benefits electronically, making it easy to pay the gap fee using EFT.
Exemptions will apply in limited circumstances. The Department of Education will provide more information about exemptions soon.
Read more about the changes on the Department of Education website.
To get information and updates, early childhood providers and services should: